A New Test Can Detect Cancer In Just 10 Minutes Using Gold Particles

Cancer remains one of the most devastating diseases on Earth, especially since there is not cure for it. Therefore, cancer prevention can be vital. It is not always simple to detect it in the early stages, but scientists are working hard to develop better methods for that.

Detecting cancer in 10 minutes

Researchers from the University of Queensland, Australia made a discovery that could revolutionise cancer detection. They came up with a 10-minute test that is able to identify cancerous cells. Healthy cells contain methyl groups, which are certain patterns of molecules. However, in cancer cells these groups show up in dense clusters at specific locations.

When affected cells get in water, “DNA fragments to fold into unique three-dimensional nanostructures that could easily be separated by sticking to solid surfaces such as gold,” explained on of the authors of the study, Matt Trau.

The study revealed that the altered cell structure was attracted to gold particles. Sp far, the tests has a 90 percent accuracy, but they haven’t been done yet on humans. “This unique nano-scaled DNA signature appeared in every type of breast cancer we examined, and in other forms of cancer including prostate, colorectal and lymphoma,” declared Dr. Abu Sina in a statement.

The success of the tests will lead to large clinical trials, which will help scientists determine whether early cancer can be correctly detected. Researchers want to find out whether there are other bodily fluids which can be tested in order to detect cancer.

“We certainly don’t know yet whether it’s the holy grail for all cancer diagnostics, but it looks really interesting as an incredibly simple universal marker of cancer, and as an accessible and inexpensive technology that doesn’t require complicated lab-based equipment like DNA sequencing,” concluded Professor Trau.

Laura grew up in a small town in northern Quebec. She studied chemistry in college, graduated, and married her husband one month later. They were then blessed with two baby boys within the first four years of marriage. Having babies gave their family a desire to return to the old paths – to nourish their family with traditional, homegrown foods; rid their home of toxic chemicals and petroleum products; and give their boys a chance to know a simple, sustainable way of life. They are currently building a homestead from scratch on two little acres in central Texas. There’s a lot to be done to become somewhat self-sufficient, but they are debt-free and get to spend their days living this simple, good life together with their five young children. Laura is an advocate for people with disabilities.